Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that Cody Ross wants a three-year, $25 million deal, which perhaps explains why his contract talks with the Red Sox didn’t lead to a new deal before free agency.

Don’t get me wrong, Ross is a solid player coming off a solid season. However, last offseason his market was so underwhelming that he had to settle for a one-year, $3 million deal from the Red Sox.

He was coming off a weak season, so that obviously played a big factor, but consider that Ross’ career numbers include a .262 batting average and .783 OPS. This season he hit .267 with an .807 OPS. So he was more or less the same hitter he’s been for his entire career. Nine months ago he signed for $3 million. Now he wants (and may very well receive, who knows) $25 million.